Dominika Cibulkova was nigh on flawless in the women’s singles semi final, ousting the more fancied Polish fifth seed Agnieszka Radwanska in a straight sets shock on the 11th day of the 2014 Australian Open.
Cibulkova had the bit between the teeth from word go, pummelling Radwanska with a resounding 6-1 6-2 scoreline at Rod Laver Arena to book a date with China’s Li Na in the final on Saturday night.
Cibulkova, from the Slovak Republic, had only beaten Radwanska once in their previous six meetings.
The pint-sized 24 year old, ranked 24th in the world, had only been in a Grand Slam semi final once before, way back in 2009. That represented the longest gap between Grand Slam semi final appearance since Mary Pierce back in 2000.
History mattered little with Cibulkova running amok over a dispirited Radwanska.
Cibulkova attacked at every chance and exuded a confidence which grew with every point.
She had the oohs and ahhs of a crowd that loved her cross court double handed backhand that was on the money more often than not.
The only person who could not help but be in awe of the Cibulkova performance was Radwanska at the other end.
Where Cibulkova was racing around like the Energizer bunny, a deflated Radwanska lacked the get-up-and-go required at the business end of a big tournament.
While the occasion clearly got to Radwanska, who was a shadow of her usual self, Cibulkova turned in the the biggest win of her career.
“Today I was doing everything right,” Cibulkova said. “I was going for my shots. I was just doing everything perfect. Maybe she was a bit nervous.
“I was just going … ball after ball, game after game. I think that’s how the big wins come.”
Cibulkova will give up experience in both age and achievements to Li in Saturday’s final, but cannot be discounted in the kind of form.
The only set she has dropped in the tournament was to Maria Sharapova in the round of 16 and she has the belief to be able to topple a star like Li.
“You need to be 100% sure you can do it and yes I am,” she said. “Even if it turns out a different way, now I know I can do it.”
Australian Open
Women’s singles semi final
Cibulkova (SVK) d Radwanska (POL) 6-1 6-2
